Shinjo Sayaka (3 strife) "I see." There was something awfully familiar with the ruthlessness Yokoi described that send shivers down her spine. She wouldn't command like that, would she? "I will be observant on the subject. Thank you for your sincerity." This put Tsume-san and her choice of yojimbo in a different light. The stable was already in disorder, and they hadn't even broken camp yet. She thought about it, sipping her cup of tea, unsure how to proceed. She'd have to meditate on this, and how to best protect her brother from the possible fallout.

I am interested, will have to see how much time I can commit just!

Shinjo Sayaka (3 strife) Sayaka carefully observes her yojimbo. "What you say to me in confidence, stays so." She suspected that her yojimbo still had other loyalties - and it would be strange if he didn't. But she needed there to be trust between them, a bond, even as uneven their relationship was. Perhaps she was thinking this the wrong way, but she hadn't been raised to be a Daiymo, or wielding power in other ways either for that matter. If it hadn't been for her temper and Fumiko, she'd been happily married and managed a household now instead. But this was her duty now. "With your humble beginnings, you do have a unique perspective on things, and I for one would like to hear it."

Shinjo Sayaka (5 strife) Sayaka takes in the Yokoi's story with intent, making mental notes of most of it. Not offering much in comments, but nodding as he speaks. She hold the tea close to let it's scent fill her nostrails as she memorizes the story, a trick her mother had taught her. Her focus shifts when he starts talking about the ashigaru. He had a point, and she'd never thought about it like that. He was right. They were her responsibility now, an extension of her will. The ashigaru she'd known were in it because they'd chosen it, some were as wild as the tribes they came for, others more... adjusted. They had ridden together, fought together and eaten together and slept together. Almost shared pillows too, but there was something that just felt off with the disparity of power. But what Yokoi was saying was true, they didn't have Bushido to guide them. "You have given me much to think about, Yokoi-san. I take this responsibility seriously, and I will make sure they feel confident in their gunso." She up and looks him directly in the eye as she speaks, making it clear that she means every word she speaks. "I would be honored if you would continue to advice me." "How do you think Tsume-san will lead?"

Shinjo Sayaka (5 strife) Sayaka closes her eyes as her yojimbo speaks, picturing it before her. "Sounds like a wonderful place, Yokoi-san." She takes a sip of tea before continuing to ask him questions about his origins, expressing genuine interest. She talks a bit about the tea and how it's seasoned and generally socializes - almost pointedly avoiding topics involving work, until she slips into speaking about the ashigaru, and asking a lot of Yokoi's opinion, while contemplating the answers he gives.

Sayaka (5 strife) Sayaka sweeps the assembly, curious on who's talking, who's not talking, and if anyone heads of in an opposite direction of someone they should be talking to. "Tell me of your home Yokoi-san." she said softly after a while, turning towards her Yojimbo. "Perhaps we can have some tea, and you could also tell me about your travels here."

Shinjo Sayaka (5 strife, 35 Status, 56 Honor, 60 Glory) With the ceremonies behind them, Sayaka relaxes a bit, but her heart still races. What had just happened? Had the Emerald Magistrate themselves pronounced her brother Castillian and her Gunso in place of all these other Samurai? In a strange way, she felt like she had been played. Rokugani tradition meant you everything said had been worded true, but the deeper meaning of it would have to be meditated on. She snaps briefly back to the conversations she had been embroiled in. She'd never had a yojimbo before, nor had any in her family. Did this mean she was old now? Shouldn't she feel different? And be married? Have children? "Yes." she answered a question. She hoped it was correct. Focus. She found the spot. Not the with the overwhelming sound of hooves across an endless steps her siblings would talk about, but rather in the garden of her mind, an endless labyrinth with flowers arranged by meaning, season and color, all the while basking in sunlight. She imagined kneeling down and taking in the scent of jasmine - and with that focus returned. But she'd soon need to do something about this stress, and arraning flowers would be far better than the alternatives.

Shinjo Sayaka (5 strife) Sayaka steps forward, intent on imatating Tsume-san's bows. Never before had she met such an important person, and she was feeling unsure how to deal with it. Still, she had been drilled in Rokugani traditions since she before she could remember. The self-doubt is washed away as memory and training takes over and she elegantly presents herself before the Emerald Champion. "Doji-sama, you have honored my brother, my family and me. This gift is far to fine to be fitted to my armor."

Shinjo Sayaka (7 strife) "Seppun-sama, a most wise decision to appoint Tomuko-san as yojimbo." She bows deeply. "If it pleases you, I will advocate for another yojimbo. There has been a lot of discussion about the dangers a Yojimbo must face, and I must say all the speakers have swayed me the wisdom of their arguments. There is one danger though as of yet not discussed, and that's the danger of the locals. I feel a someone more accustomed to living close to the land, and someone relatively familiar with the area, would serve excellently, seeing things we creatures of the courts wouldn't. I recommend..." she falters, hesitates for a moment. Just as she was to suggest Chinatsu, but unexplainable pangs of jealousy interrupts her, and she feels her cheeks heat up. "My apologies Seppun-sama, the food was so delicious, I must have eaten to much." She pauses slightly to regain focus "As I was saying, I recommend Hakane-san. If the Dragon trust to bring them on this endeavor, so must I." she states, maybe a bit to quick and forceful, pushing down the warmth on her cheeks. "Perhaps Seppun-sama, this Yojimbo would be best suited for our ambassador, who might have more unpredicatable encounters than anyone else?" She bows again as she finishes, avoiding looking at Chinatsu but instead making a smaller bow to Hakane.

Shinjo Sayaka (4 Strife) "It is." Sayaka agrees. So much more could be said on the matter, but she wasn't some grand strategist who could easily turn weakness into strength, or a retreat into an ambush. She was a solider. What had she gotten herself into? At least she knew enough that she'd probably make a fool of her family and self if she tried to explain further, and the bottom line of the statement was true. "Seppun-sama, Matus-san. You honor me with this very suggestion." She draws a finger across her Kimono as she bows, to ward off the evil omen that her superiors may die - and the suggestion of an even worse fate - that she would somehow still be alive when that happened. Still, they raised a valid point. "But perhaps more urgent, who do you feel is most suited towards being Shinjo Khenbish-sans Yojimbo, so this terrible scenario never comes to pass?"

Shinjo Sayaka (4 Strife) Sayaka once again steps up and bows before Hirohide "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for my appointment, Seppun-sama." She pauses a while before continuing "As Tsume no Doji-san expresses, an experienced Yojimbo would be a must for her services, and I commend her for her choice of candidate. However, if it pleases you Seppun-sama, I feel it is more vital to discuss the ambassador, lest the importance of that office becomes less than that of a bodyguard. It is my humble recommendation that you consider Ashina-san. With such a powerful warrior as Tsume no Doji-san as Gunso, I feel we may need a different perspective both for us and how are are perceived to best carve out the road ahead of us."

Shinjo Sayaka (4 strife) Sayaka steps forward, bowing deeply before she speaks "Seppun-sama. I believe there are several among us who has great experience leading. I do believe Tsume no Doji Ron's experience would make her an excellent commander, and if this was any other location, I would stand raise my voice in support. But this is a land of roughness and hardships, not of scholars and rice. As you all probably have heard, my family harbor little love for the Lion - but we do not deny that they are dogged and determined, and for the task given to I believe it is what we need. I have heard that among us we have one of great experience, someone who already commands deep respect among the Ashigaru. Who knows the true hardships of the field, and whom I believe would give us all a greater chance. I for one would be honored to learn by his side. Jin demands that I see beyond the simple origins and instead see Yokoi-san's Meiyo. Thank you for hearing me, Seppun-sama." She bows again, hoping her fingers don't tremble. The field always felt so much simpler than the courts of spears, not to mention Fumiko had a knack for making life feel simpler.